Ramani's Clothiers to close, relocate due to flooding

MIDDLETOWN -- Ramani's Clothiers will be closing its doors Friday since things have been a bit underwater lately -- literally.

While too many small businesses have been shuttering their shops lately for going underwater financially, Klaudio Celiku, who runs the family business on the corner of Main and Court streets, said an unresolved flooding problem in the basement of the store is forcing him to close and look for another location.

"We're going to go on vacation and relax and regroup, then come back and decide what we're going to do," Celiku said Monday in the basement of his store, amid moldy tuxedo jackets and ties.

Celiku said that while details have not yet been worked out, he has already decided to stay in the city and stay on Main Street.

Advertisement

"The outpouring of support here has been incredible," he said of his fellow Main Street merchants. "They assumed it was a financial issue and offered to help with money. That support really means a lot."

Business owners weren't the only ones lending their support to the Celikus. The city and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce have also offered their help.

"It's been nonstop stress for two years," Celiku said. "The city came in to investigate but couldn't pinpoint the problem."

But he said everyone has been helpful, including the mayor, Chamber President Larry McHugh and even the vendors.

Celiku said his vendors have included extra merchandise in his orders to help make up for his losses and have offered him more time to make payments on his orders.

Nonetheless, Celiku found himself holding the bag on the damage because he claimed on his insurance that the damage was caused by a flood and was not covered.

"Water came into the basement last year around this time," he said. "The landlord never fixed it. I told him the problem would return."

And it did. On Aug. 10, after heavy rains, the basement flooded again.

"He collected his (rent) money and never did anything," Celiku said. "I lost merchandise both times."

A break room with a kitchenette in the basement has been rendered useless because of water damage and mold.

"After the first time it flooded, it took (the landlord) five days to come out and look at it," he said.

Celiku uses the basement to store his winter merchandise during the summer months, and vice versa.

The Ramani's Clothiers name is also owned by the landlord, who Celiku declined to identify. When and if the Celikus relocate, they will not be able to use the name, he said.

Middletown property records indicate that the building is owned by Rams II LLC based in Cheshire, which according to the Secretary of the State's office is owned by Chandru A. Ramchandani, of Wolcott. Neither address listed has produced a working phone number for Ramchandani, and he could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Jay N. Hershman, who is listed as a manger for Rams II LLC with the Secretary of the State, did not return a phone call seeking comment left Monday evening.

Local real estate expert Trevor Davis, however, said flooding when it rains heavily is not unusual in buildings along Main Street, many of which have an infrastructure that is around 200 years old.

He recommends business owners use dehumidifiers in their basements to help protect merchandise.

CLARIFICATION: Celiku was referring to rent money when he said his landlord "collected his money and never did anything."